Half way!

Can you hardly believe it? We are already half way through the year and today I'm half way through my pregnancy. I'm growing more and more excited with the thought of meeting my daughter. This is probably also due to the fact that two of my nearest and dearest friends both had baby girls this past week. Becca welcomed her daughter, Lola, to her family on May 29th. Colleen welcomed her daughter, Coco, to her family on May 24th. All of them are healthy and just a beautiful as can be.

How can I not be excited at the prospect of meeting my little girl for the first time? Of course, I want to meet my baby girl. Just in 17-20 weeks from now. No sooner. I think that would not need to be said but maybe if I say it (write it) that is how it will happen. So far this pregnancy is going well. I'm only getting big in the proper places. I feel very pregnant as of the last few weeks. I've also started getting braxton hicks contractions in the past few days. This concerns Mike, however there is nothing concerning about them. The contractions are mild, in the front of my belly and not frequent. All text book, nothing to be alarmed about. However, with Mikey making his debut 8 weeks early it seems we are all very nervous about this pregnancy. Luckily, I love my doctor and trust her completely. I have complete faith that if there is some sign that we missed during my pregnancy with Mikey it would be discovered this time around. I'm currently on week 4 of 20 for my shots to help keep baby girl inside my belly. It is no fun at all. I would be lying if I said it doesn't hurt like hell. It's worth it though so I'm not complaining. Every time she kicks me and I can feel her rolling around is what I remember when Mike is administering my weekly dose. I love feeling her wiggle and kick. It's probably my favorite part of pregnancy. Anyhow, that is my baby girl update.

20 weeks

this pregnancy

20 weeks while pregnant with Mikey.

(My belly is bigger with her than I was with him)

Peanut playing inside for a bit, escaping the summer heat.

The happiest hard hat wearing boy around.

Don't forget your safety goggles!

Last weekend we all went to Mikey's friends 4th b-day party.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY HENRY!!!!

These kids loved, loved , loved trying to hit that pinata.

The hit of the day was the bouncy house they rented. The kids played all day. When the people came to pick it up at 8:00 poor Henry was so sad they were taking his bouncy house. The children just sat in the grass and watched the fun house deflate. I guess we know what to get for the next b-day party or any party for that matter.

too funny

Yesterday we were killing time, via facebook, as the rain was falling steadily outside. I found a video of my friends daughter singing and so I played it. Mikey was sitting at the table coloring and overheard her singing. Next thing I know he's at my side pulling up his stool so he can see. At first he just sat and listened. Then he clicks replay (by himself). Anyhow after the second time through he started dancing and wanted to play it over and over. Luckily, I had my camera so I switched it to video and in a rarity he actually kept doing what he was doing for all to see. This is too funny!

IT'S A GIRL!!!!

We are having a sweet baby girl. I must say she is a little shy already as she made the doctor work very hard to see her little girl parts. A lady already. I'm very happy and still in shock. I can't believe I'm going to have a little girl. Really? Mikey is very excited about his little sister and he has somehow seemed to know that she was a "she" before anyone else. Since he found out we are having a baby he's been saying he was having a sister. I just know he's going to be the World's BEST big brother. He loves her already, just as we do. We can't wait to meet you baby girl!!!

In the meantime we made a trip to Madison to kill time while Daddy was in Texas taking his vascular boards. Mikey had (and Grandma and I) a wonderful time visiting his bestest friend Joe-Joe. I got to spend some quality time with my near and dear friend Danika (which I miss so much not living next door to anymore).


I really believe these two are going to be friends forever. They met just after they turned 1 and still even after months apart they pick up right where they left off. Beautiful friendship.

Grandma Robin had been visiting for the last week. We had the chance to go to the Zoo. We had great weather and a great time.

The ducks have a busy spring ahead with all these beautiful little ducklings to look after.

Spring is in the air!

Everything is in bloom. The flowers, the trees.... my belly. It's all blooming! The weather has been up and down still with one day warm the next cold. It has starting to rain finally which we desperately needed. Mike has been suffering from pollen allergies this year and it's been painful to just watch him. Now that we've had a bit of rain he is seeming to get a little relief. Mikey had a cold since we were in Florida and he was just finally able to shake his cough this past week. Thank heavens for that... it was tough listening to him try to sleep. Anyhow, he is better now and as spunky as always. I'm doing well myself. I'm into the second trimester and I'm feeling good. I'm getting bigger, luckily just my boobs and belly so far and even better is I don't feel big... yet. I'm in no disillusion of any sort, I know what is around the corner for me. Right now I'm enjoying being able to keep up with my 3 year old and hubby. Are we ever enjoying how beautiful nature can be. Here are a few pics from around my yard.

My tulip garden I planted in the fall. We had to put a fence up to keep Misiu out. I actually changed the fence out yesterday to something much more aesthetically pleasing.

I'll show you next time.

Even the weeds are beautiful

Almost every one of our trees are in bloom. It is just breath taking. I took these pictures on Sunday and since this tree has bloomed light pink flowers all over it. AMAZING!

A different tree on the side of our house.

This tree is huge and on the corner of our lot over looking a park across the street.

This tree makes me proud... I know people look at it and smile. I do.

On Saturday we went to a local trail and went for a family walk. Mikey and Misiu had a blast running freely through the trails.

This is what we are competing with right now. Mikey LOVES to pee outside. We are trying to get him to realize that there are places that are ok and other places that are not.... i.e. the Zoo. Yup, Mikey dropped his pants in the middle of the Zoo in front of a good number of people and started to pee before Mike or I even had time to react. (Sigh)

Mikey's crocodile pool.

It's still a little cold but I couldn't resist putting it up for him to play with.

Even though he didn't get in, he had a lot of fun playing around it.

Mikey smiling before his swim lesson.

Unfortunately, he would not get in the pool at his swim lesson because I wasn't getting in. This is his first lesson that his not parent/child and it's proving to be difficult. I will not be defeated. We will keep trying as I believe that it is very, VERY important my child knows how to swim.

This was Sunday, exactly 2 weeks from the last photo. As I said earlier, I'm feeling good. I like this stage of pregnancy where you look pregnant but your not huge. I remember with Mikey I was 6 months and strangers would ask me if I was going to 'pop' yet. I'm sure this one will be even more extreme as I'm about the same size now (just under 16 wks) as I was at 20 wks with Mikey. I go in this coming Monday for my 16 wk appointment and to start my progesterone shots. I'm not looking forward to Mike giving me a weekly shot in the tush, but I'm hopeful as to what the shots will do. My doctor has had phenomenal success rates with it. Almost 100% of her patients on it, who delivered preterm before, went past 37 weeks. So we all march happily forward optimistic for what may be ahead of us.

Starting to show

I can't believe it. I'm 13 1/2 weeks pregnant and I'm showing! Don't get me wrong I'm happy for all the right reasons. I just can't get that voice out of my head that keeps saying every time I pass a mirror, "Is it too early to be showing like this?"

This past Friday I went in to have a heartbeat check to help with my anxiety. Thank goodness I have such a wonderful Doctor and nurse that are trying to help me through this by allowing me HR checks whenever I feel nervous. So, I went in and the nurse surprised me by asking me if I wanted if I wanted to see an ultrasound. Heck ya! So she rolled the machine in and there was my beautiful baby happily rolling around and kicking in my belly. The baby looks great and has very long legs, as Mike said this baby is already taking after Mommy.
He can be sweet when he wants to be. :-)

Mikey and I went to Madison last weekend to visit our friends.

Thanks so much Danika, Lee, Joe, and William for a fantastic weekend.

The 1st haircut

Happy 3rd Birthday son!

Happy Birthday Mikey!!!

Yesterday was Mikey's 3rd birthday. I still can't believe it. This child is growing up so fast and he just gets better and better every single day. He touches everyone's heart that he sees. Mikey is charismatic and he can turn on the charm on a dime. He has a wonderful sense of humor and is super fun to play games with. He gives the best hugs and warmest kisses. I also have to say that although he loves his Daddy very much there is no one like his Mommy to him. I am still his ultimate sense of comfort... I'm one lucky Mommy. He loves to snuggle and won't stay out of Mommy and Daddy's room. Each night anywhere from 12-3:00 we hear his little feet pitter pattering their way into our room, followed by his little body climbing in between Mommy and Daddy where he will rest his eyes for the remainder of the night. I must admit we have not attempted to break this habit of his as we love it so much. I know there will come a day where he wouldn't be caught dead sleeping in a bed with his parents so I will cherish each and every evening I get.

Mikey loves to pretend that he is a dinosaur... some days baby jaguar from Diego. Either way he's got a fierce growl that is his favorite noise to make. He loves anything dinosaur. The bigger and scarier the better. Dinosaurs don't scare him in the slightest. Next in line of the favorites is still any kind of choo-choo train. He still likes to watch Thomas and will watch any show that has trains in it. When we went to Florida last week we asked him to pack some toys to take with him and all he packed were his trains. When we asked if he was sure he didn't want to bring anything else he gave us a very firm NO.

When it comes to food there is no surprise for my hubby and I that Mikey is very picky. The apple does not fall far from the tree. Both Mike and I were very picky eaters as kids and some would say that we even might still be. Mikey loves fruit and hates veggies. He loves whole wheat pasta and rice but meat is a whole other thing. The only meat we can get him to eat is hot dogs, fish sticks, chicken nuggets (fast food kind) and scrambled eggs. He loves bread and will happily eat a plain slice of bread. Mikey likes milk but as always he prefers orange juice. Orange juice is his World and he is particular about it too. He does not like pulp and he doesn't like OJ from concentrate. He's a bit of an OJ connoisseur.

Mikey has blessed our lives and truly makes our World a better place. I know his Daddy and I couldn't be more proud to have such a fantastic, spunky and beautiful little boy. I thank God everyday for bestowing such wonderful child upon me. Happy Birthday Peanut!!!!

(I will get pictures posted tomorrow as I have not had time to download any since returning from Florida due to having a nasty head cold/ sinus infection. Lucky Mommy.)

Our weekend

Sunday was absolutely beautiful. It felt like spring here. The air was warming up, it made it to 60 degrees! The sky was the most gorgeous bright blue with not a single cloud to be found. The only thing we did indoors was go to church, other than that we were enjoying the weather and each others company. We cleaned up the backyard which was not fun thanks to Misiu and deer poop. That stuff was everywhere! Well OK Daddy did 90% of the poop cleaning as just looking at it made me a wee bit nauseous. Once that was done though Mikey and Daddy played hockey on the tennis court. Mikey even asked me if I wanted to play too (usually he only wants to play hockey with Daddy). I was delighted but, could see why he prefers Daddy to Mommy here. Daddy is just better and he's much faster at retrieving the ball than I am. I enlist Misiu to fetch the ball and Mikey really doesn't want Misiu touching his ball. Anyhow we had a blast! We flew a kite in the park, we went bike riding, walked through the trails and pulled out toy after toy to play with.

Daddy and Mikey inspecting the grass.


Mikey playing with his car from Babcia Ania and Dzia-Dzia Andrew

Daddy trying to get Mikey to use the pedals. This is a constant battle. Mikey would much prefer to Flinstone it on his bike or in the car. Hey, maybe he knows something we don't.

Saturday

Saturday was gray and wet.

Although that does lend for a mighty good time stomping in the puddles.

Daddy was on call and he was working hard, he left early that morning and didn't make it home until late that night. Mikey was asking ALL day, "where's Daddy, Mommy"?

The only downside to stomping in puddles is when your pants get wet.

Mikey consoling a pouting Misiu who was not happy

that he had to be tied up at the playground.

Don't you almost feel bad for him? Life is tough Misiu.

All in all rain or shine we had a wonderful weekend.

Hope yours was great as well!

We're still here

It's been a little while since my last post. I must say that the flu that both Mikey and I had really took a toll on us. I really didn't feel better for almost three weeks. Of course to add to it I'm happily pregnant, however, with that comes fatigue and morning sickness. Add all that up and it left me with absolutely no desire to post anything (except occasional tid-bits on facebook). Anyhow, we are all feeling better and enjoying the beautiful weather outside. We all went for a nice walk this morning and Mikey broke out his bicycle. We then came in for some yummy donuts... a craving of mine that Mikey doesn't mind sharing one bit with Mommy. Smoochie hasn't come in all morning. Daddy keeps finding any project he can so he can enjoy the weather. Mikey is happily eating some lunch and then it's off to read books and take a nap. I'm trying to catch up with all the cleaning I've had no problem putting off for the past month it seems. Anyhow, I really wanted to put up some new pictures of Mikey but realized I haven't taken any in over a month. So you get Mikey eating his mac-n-cheese.... with Thomas' help of course.

HAPPY SATURDAY!